Nantucket Porgy & Seabass Charter Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Five-hour private charter targets Porgy and Black Seabass offshoreCaptain Chris provides expert guidance with dedicated First Mate assistanceFamily-friendly adventure accommodates up to six guests seasonally
Captain Chris and the Meat Wagon Fishing Charters crew know exactly where to find the best action in Nantucket Sound. This 5-hour morning charter puts you right on top of productive bottom structure where Black Seabass and Scup cluster in good numbers from early May through the end of June. You'll fish the prime spots that locals have been hitting for decades, working the rocky bottom and structure that these species call home. With room for up to 6 anglers, this trip strikes the perfect balance between having enough space to fish comfortably and keeping the group small enough for personalized attention from both the captain and first mate.
Your morning kicks off before the crowds hit the water, giving you first crack at the best fishing spots around Nantucket. Captain Chris has been working these waters long enough to know exactly which structures are holding fish on any given day, and he's not shy about moving if the action slows down. The boat comes equipped with everything you need to get into fish - quality rods, reels, tackle, and bait are all provided. Your first mate stays busy keeping everyone's lines baited and helping land fish, so you can focus on feeling for that telltale tap of a seabass or the steady pull of a porgy. The trip runs rain or shine, though safety always comes first if conditions get rough. Most days you'll find yourself fishing in 20 to 60 feet of water, depending on where the fish are staging. The Nantucket Sound offers excellent protection from ocean swells, making this a comfortable trip even for folks who might get queasy in bigger water.
This is classic New England bottom fishing at its finest. You'll be dropping rigs with multiple hooks down to structure where seabass and porgy like to hang out. The standard setup includes a bank sinker heavy enough to hold bottom in the current, with dropper loops above featuring small hooks baited with sea worms, squid, or clams. Captain Chris and his mate know exactly how much weight you need for the conditions and will adjust your rig accordingly. The technique is straightforward but requires some finesse - you want to keep your bait just off the bottom where the fish are feeding, but not so high that you're out of the strike zone. When a fish hits, you'll feel it as a series of taps or a steady weight on your line. Seabass tend to hit harder and fight with more head-shaking action, while porgy give you that steady, dogged pull that makes your arms burn after a few hours of steady action. The first mate keeps a sharp eye on everyone's technique and will jump in with tips if you're missing bites or losing fish.
Black Seabass are the crown jewel of this charter, and for good reason. These chunky, aggressive fish pack serious fight into their compact frames, typically running 1 to 3 pounds around Nantucket with occasional bigger fish pushing 4 or 5 pounds. They're structure-oriented fish that love rocky bottom, wrecks, and anywhere they can ambush smaller baitfish. Seabass are opportunistic feeders that will hit a variety of baits, but they can also be finicky when they want to be. The best action usually happens during the early morning hours when they're actively feeding, which is exactly when this charter targets them. May through June represents prime time for seabass fishing around Nantucket as they move into shallower water and become more aggressive. These fish are excellent eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling or frying.
Scup, better known locally as porgy, might not win any beauty contests, but they make up for their looks with sheer numbers and willingness to bite. These silver-sided fish school up in huge numbers over sandy and rocky bottom, providing non-stop action when you find them. Porgy typically range from 8 inches up to 14 inches, with the bigger "dinner plate" sized fish being the most sought after. They're curious fish that will investigate anything hitting the bottom near their school, making them perfect for kids and novice anglers who want to stay busy. Don't let their size fool you - porgy fight surprisingly hard for their size and can provide a real workout when you're hauling them up from 40 or 50 feet of water. They're also fantastic eating, with sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for fish tacos or a classic New England fish fry. The peak season for porgy coincides perfectly with this charter's schedule, as they move into Nantucket Sound in big numbers during late spring and early summer.
Meat Wagon Fishing Charters has built their reputation on putting clients on fish while providing a top-notch experience on the water. Captain Chris knows these waters inside and out, and his first mate ensures everyone has a great time regardless of their fishing experience. The 5-hour trip gives you plenty of time to work multiple spots and adjust tactics if needed, without turning into a marathon day that wears everyone out. This seasonal charter runs from May 4th through June 30th, hitting the absolute peak time for both seabass and porgy fishing around Nantucket. With only 6 spots available, these trips fill up fast once word gets out about the fishing. Whether you're planning a family outing, a guys' trip, or just want to experience some of the best bottom fishing New England has to offer, this charter delivers the goods. All you need to bring is your fishing license, some snacks and drinks, and the enthusiasm to pull in some quality fish. Book your spot now and get ready to experience why Nantucket fishing has such a devoted following among serious anglers.
Step aboard the 34' SeaVee center console with Meat Wagon Fishing Charters for your Nantucket adventure. This well-equipped fishing machine features GPS navigation, radar for those foggy New England mornings, and a fish finder to locate your targets in Nantucket Sound. The live bait well keeps your bait fresh while the spacious ice box handles your catch and cold drinks. Built for up to six anglers, this center console design gives everyone plenty of room to work the rails when the Black Seabass and Scup are biting. Captain Chris knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with a dedicated First Mate on board, you'll have expert assistance whether you're bottom fishing or working the deeper drops. The boat's layout makes it perfect for families and serious fishermen alike, with easy access to all fishing positions and gear storage throughout your 5-hour morning trip.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are the bread and butter of our spring trips around Nantucket. These chunky, dark fish average 2-4 pounds but can push 6-8 pounds near wrecks and rocky structure. They love depths from 30-80 feet around jetties, old pilings, and boulder fields. May through June is prime time when they move inshore to spawn - that's when males turn bright blue with pronounced humps on their heads. Bass hit hard and fight strong until they break the surface, making them a blast for anglers of all skill levels. They're also outstanding table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: use a two-hook rig with squid strips and bounce it right on bottom. These fish are territorial, so once you find one, work that spot thoroughly.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgy as locals call them, are perfect for families and new anglers. These silver-scaled fighters run 12-16 inches around Nantucket Sound and put up a surprising fight for their size. You'll find them near rocky bottom and structure in 20-60 feet of water from May through October. They're bottom feeders with strong jaws built for crushing shells and crabs. What makes scup special is they're fantastic eating - sweet, flaky meat that rivals any restaurant fish. Plus, they bite readily on squid, clams, or worms, so you'll stay busy all morning. My tip: when you feel that first tap, wait a beat before setting the hook. Scup like to mouth the bait before committing, and patience pays off with better hooksets.
cape cod